Can You Find Fantasy Football Gold In Bad NFL Offenses?
Fantasy

Can You Find Fantasy Football Gold In Bad NFL Offenses?

In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Paramount+.

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Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” And the Cleveland Browns' front office took that philosophy to heart. 

Despite paying Deshaun Watson $230M (fully guaranteed) to fight for the starting job in 2026, their "10,000 ways that won't work" QB competition was on full display this weekend. 

  • Watson: 11/15, 126 yards, 1 FUM
  • Shedeur Sanders: 6/11, 79 yards, 1 INT
  • Dillon Gabriel: 5/8, 22 yards, 1 INT

Jeez. Zach Wilson threw more TDs on Saturday than the entire Browns QB room combined. In fact, the only TD on Cleveland's side of the ball came from KC Concepcion … on his feet (at least they're trying to find creative ways to get him involved?).

Thankfully, you won't be faced with the option of drafting a Brown until at least Round 5, but this isn't an offense you want to stack in your leagues this season. The QBs are too unpredictable to even roster, and the trickle-down "point-onomics" is dragging everyone else down with them:

Though don't forget, we have seen shining fantasy stars emerge from bleak NFL offenses before. Think: Malik Nabers 2024 or Trey McBride 2025 …

So, it's no surprise that Harold Fannin is ranked as Fantasy Life's consensus TE6 this season on talent and target share alone. Turnovers be damned!

A BROWN’S ADP IS PLUMMETING

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Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

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🤔 Employ black box thinking. It helps in figuring out losses.

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🤨 A pair of TEs are so close in the ranks. Who would you pick?

💪 From getting cut to possible top-5 QB? It might happen.

🦵🏽 The WORST pick in fantasy football. It’ll give you a kick.

Three MUST-DRAFT Players For 2026

What do a QB on a losing offense, an RB with a new two-year deal and a TE with only 49 targets in 2025 have in common? 

I'll tell you. They're all being highly touted by Matthew Freedman. 

Offensive woes, RB competitions, and "down" seasons don't have to be the final nail in a fantasy player's coffin. And Freedman has me convinced. It's why his must-draft players are now my must-draft players. 

Find out why Freedman, and now me, absolutely need these guys on our teams.

THE UPSIDE CASE FOR THE TE IS REAL

Yahoo FF Draft Strategy

One of the best strategies for winning your drafts comes from capitalizing on ADP discrepancies. 

Because no two drafting platforms are exactly alike, you can use their built-in ADP to your advantage. This week, Adam Pfeifer has broken down this advantage for Yahoo! drafts. 

Want to draft Emeka Egbuka or Parker Washington? 

What about drafting Egbuka or Washington full rounds later than their Underdog ADP??

HOW TO WIN YOUR YAHOO DRAFT

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